Acitretin Information & Acitretin Links at HealthHaven.com

	Acitretin
	Systematic (IUPAC) name
	(2E,4E,6E,8E)-9-(4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethylphenyl)-3,7-dimethylnona-2,4,6,8-tetraenoic acid
	Identifiers
CAS number	55079-83-9
ATC code	D05BB02
PubChem	5284513
DrugBank	APRD00778
ChemSpider	4447573
	Chemical data
Formula	C21H26O3
Mol. mass	326.429 g/mol
SMILES	eMolecules & PubChem
	Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	60%
Protein binding	99%
Metabolism	?
Half life	49 hours
Excretion	?
	Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	X
Legal status
Routes	?
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Acitretin (trade name Soriatane) is a second generation retinoid. It is taken orally, and is typically used for psoriasis.

It is a metabolite of etretinate, which was used prior to the introduction of acitretin. Etretinate was discontinued because it had a narrow therapeutic index as well as a long elimination half-life (t_1/2=120 days), making dosing difficult. In contrast, acitretin's half-life is approximately 2 days.

Because acitretin can be reverse metabolised into etretinate which has a long half life, women must avoid becoming pregnant for at least 2 years after discontinuing acitretin. Therefore, etretinate is generally not recommended at for women of child bearing age with risk becoming pregnant.

Acitretin is the least toxic systemic treatment for psoriasis. It is an oral retinoid of choice used in the treatment of severe resistant psoriasis. It binds to nuclear receptors that regulate gene transcription. They induce keratinocyte differentiation and reduce epidermal hyperplasia. Acitretin is readily absorbed and widely distributed after oral administration. A therapeutic effect occurs after 2 to 4 weeks or longer.

If a patient has received the medication, he/she is advised against giving blood indefinitely due to the risk of birth defects.

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